The work of award-winning Italian-American pianist Bruce Leto, Jr. has often been referred to as “refined” and “kaleidoscopic” by review outlets such as Fanfare, Artisan Music Reviews, and Take Effect Reviews. Few words could describe his new PARMA release better: MOOD POEMS is a carefully-curated selection of solo piano works exploring the vivid, colorful spectrum of human emotion.
Today, Bruce is our featured artist on the “Inside Story,” a blog series exploring the inner workings and personalities of our composers and performers. Read on to learn about his first live performance at the age of 6, and his love for what is often referred to as “one of the greatest punk albums of all time…”
If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing?
A surgeon or a baseball player — anything that involves keen hand/eye coordination, which comes pretty naturally for me.
Tell us about your first performance.
I was about 6 years old! It was a piano recital at The Episcopal Academy — I was so small at the time. I almost fell off the bench while performing…!
What musical mentor had the greatest impact on your artistic journey? Is there any wisdom they’ve imparted onto you that still resonates today?
Linda de Pasquale, who motivated and instructed me to be the best pianist that I could be growing up — lessons which I will forever be grateful for! Curt Cacioppo was my mentor/thesis advisor at Haverford College — he really helped me find my artistic and musical voice, and we have achieved great milestones together collaboratively: from placing in The American Prize to debuting some of his pieces (from Armed & Dangerous to Dans Le Parc — performed at Carnegie Hall in 2022), to winning competitions with his music — such as the Seattle International Piano Festival — Virtuosos Artists & Charleston International Music Competition, 2024!
What emotions do you hope listeners will experience after hearing your work?
Specifically from MOOD POEMS: peaceful, introspective, reflective, and inspired.
How do you prepare for a performance?
I try to meditate a bit… practice certain sections over and over; and, brainstorm ways I can take additional time (or pauses) in other sections (Rubato). Additionally, I like to listen to recordings of the pieces (from other artists) to derive further influence in my own interpretation(s).
Take us on a walk through your musical library. What record gets the most plays? Are there any “deep cuts” that you particularly enjoy?
Recently, I’ve been listening to Rancid’s album …And Out Come the Wolves, which is often referred to as one of the greatest punk albums of all time. It’s got great energy, verve, and very memorable tracks — hope to see them live this summer!
As a prize-winner in scholastic (Dora Khyatt); Collegiate (Bi-Co Concerto Competition); national (Seattle International Virtuoso Artists Festival); and international (Quebec International Music Competition) piano adjudications, Bruce Leto’s music tenure has enabled him to perform in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Florida, New York, and Italy. During his collegiate years, Leto received 1st Prize in the Bi-College Student Concerto Competition and performed the 3rd Movement of Gershwin’s Concerto in F with the Haverford/Bryn Mawr Orchestra.
